PIV/PLIF
PIV (particle image velocimetry) and/or PLIF (planar laser-induced fluorescence) can be applied for non-invasive characterization of flow and mixing in meso- and micro-scale reactors.
Specifications
- Litron NanoPIV 532 nm pulsed laser (425 mJ per pulse, 10 Hz)
- Two Imager LX cameras (14 bit, 1600 x 1200 pixel2)
- Zeiss Discovery.V20 stereomicroscope with various objectives
Representative Publications
Bampouli, A., Goris, Q., Van Olmen, J., Solmaz, S., Hussain, M., Stefanidis, G.D., Van Gerven, T. (2023) Understanding the ultrasound field of high viscosity mixtures: Experimental and numerical investigation of a lab scale batch reactor. Ultrason. Sonochem. 97, 106444.
(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106444)
Potdar, A., Protasova, L.N., Thomassen, L. & Kuhn, S. (2017) Designed porous milli-scale reactors with enhanced interfacial mass transfer in two-phase flows. React. Chem. Eng. 2, 137–148. (https://doi.org/10.1039/C6RE00185H)
Optical microscopy
Microscopy can be applied to visualize crystal morphology, particle structure, and surface topology at different length scales. It also allows in situ observation of crystallization behavior.
Specifications
- Nikon SMZ25
- DS-Fi3 camera (high speed camera from the group can also be mounted)
- Automatable translational stage
- Fluorescense module attached
- Zoom range: 0.63 – 15.75X
Representative Publications
Ferreira, J., Castro, F., Kuhn, S. & Rocha, F. (2020) Controlled protein crystal nucleation in microreactors: The effect of the droplet volume versus high supersaturation ratios. CrystEngComm 22, 4692–4701. (https://doi.org/10.1039/d0ce00517g)
Bolze, H., Mc Carogher, K. & K., Kuhn, S. (2025) Microfluidic generation of nanoparticles using standing wave induced ultrasonic spray drying. Nanoscale Adv. 7, 2568-2574. (https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NA01012D)
High speed camera
High-speed camera imaging is used to capture fast transient phenomena during droplet formation, bubble dynamics, and acoustic interactions within micro- and millireactors. The visual data enables quantitative analysis of flow regimes, breakup mechanisms, and interfacial instabilities.
Specifications
- Photron Fastcam Mini UX100
- Mountable microlens (12X zoom lens from Navitar)
- Up to 6250 fps (at 1280 x 800 pixels)
- Can be combined with optical microscope in the group
Representative Publications
Cailly, W., Mc Carogher, K., Bolze, H., Yin, J. & Kuhn, S. (2023) Analysis of Dynamic Acoustic Resonance Effects in a Sonicated Gas-Liquid Flow Microreactor. Ultrason. Sonochem. 93, 106300. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106300)
Mc Carogher, K., Dong, Z., Stephens, D.S., Leblebici, M.E., Mettin, R. & Kuhn, S. (2021) Acoustic resonance and atomization for gas-liquid systems in microreactors. Ultrason. Sonochem. 75, 105611. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2021.105611)
